Welcome to the 107th Edition of my blog. I know it's been a little
while but I'm here now. I've just been quite busy lately but I never
lost site of this, I just took longer. Now for what you came to see.
Dependence (2007): This is one of the short films shown at my local
town of Muncie, Indiana. I do not know the actual year and I think it's
pretty forgivable if I am wrong here. This was written and directed
by three Taylor University students, one of which is my facebook friend
Tim Sutherland. This is a story of two brothers, one a nurse, one a
drug addict. It was cool seeing a movie which was partly filmed at
Cornerstone Center for the Arts which is where I was in THE NUTCRACKER.
The story was actually quite good and has an interesting realization
from the brother who is a nurse. This can be seen at http://www.sutherlandprojectsfilm.com.
Return to Oz (1985): I decided to take a look into this interesting
sequal to THE WIZARD OF OZ which is far more darker than the 1939
classic. If you're looking to go over the rainbow, this may not be your
movie. This movie takes place six months after Dorothy wakes up after
her big adventure in the Emerald City. Auntie Em still won't believe
Dorothy and decides to have her committed in an insane asylum when she
is determined to go back. Fairuza Balk plays Dorothy Gale which is her
first film appearance. As we see, we have a child playing the role
rather than an adult which was more how author L. Frank Baum intended
the character. Shirley Temple was originally going to play the role
anyways. Now back to the movie, Dorothy finally makes her way to Oz
like the title says but only to find out that it is not the same and
that the Scarecrow was abducted, and Emerald City was turned to stone,
including the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man. If you're looking for
character development in the original Oz friends, you might be
disappointed. Here, Toto is left behind at home and Dorothy has a
talking chicken, and meets Jack Pumpkinhead, Tik-Tok, who seemed to be
more of a nuisance than anything, and Gump. Dorothy this time mus
contend with Mombi, played by Piper Laurie and the Nome King, played by
Nicol Williamson. I don't really know what happened to Glenda at this
point. There are no musical numbers here but this is worth a view.
Hurricane Express (1932): This was viewed because of the name John
Wayne in one of his early appearances. John Wayne plays railroad
worker Larry Baker, whose father was killed by a man called the Wrecker
who is the master of disguise. Basically, Baker wants to avenge his
father's death. Worth a view to see a young John Wayne.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martions (1964): What a way to start out
the holiday season. Sometimes we forget about the people in Mars.
Santa just gave no thoughts to those great people and in consequence, he
is abducted by martians along with two children to bring the Earth
happiness to the martian children. Most of the martians aren't so bad
and have some pretty good intentions but one of them decides that he
does not want the happiness brought to Mars and tries to destroy Santa.
Pia Zadora makes her film debut here as the female martian.
When Trumpets Fade (1998): This is the year for the two big WW2
Blockbusters SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and THE THIN RED LINE but many forget
about this overlooked HBO WW2 film about the unknown battle Hurtgen
Forest which killed 24,000 soldiers. Ron Eldard stars as the loose
cannon soldier who wants nothing more than a Secion 8 but they instead
keep promoting him. Martin Donovan plays the higher up who won't give
up on Eldard. This was one of the better performances I have seen him
in. Also look for an unrecognizable Dwight Yoakam who I only knew for
his voice.
Charlie's Angels (2000): This was a time where I just wanted to have
some fun so I got this tv series remake. I liked the beginning where
LL Cool J, one of many unnecessary cameos, based making movies from tv
shows because they were doing TJ HOOKER: THE MOVIE. John Forsythe
reprised his role as the unseen Charlie, this time taking in Natalie,
played by Cameron Diaz whose characterization seemed to partly resemble
Sabrina Duncan, played by Kate Jackson on the tv series. He also has
Alex played by Lucy Liu which has some movements which resemble Kelly
Garrett who was played by Jacklyn Smith and rounding out these angels is
Dylan, played by Drew Barrymore. Bill Murray plays John Bosley.
Character actor Sam Rockwell plays a kidnap victim who is not who he
appears to be. Other cameos included Tom Green, Luke Wilson, and
FRIENDS alum Matt Le Blanc, all of which quite unneccessary but if
you're in the mood, there is some pretty good fight scenes and some
good, comic action.
The Nativity Story (2006): I gues we could call this movie the rise
of Christmas since it is based on the journey of Mary and Joseph to
Bethleham to give birth to Jesus Christ. I wanted to focus on both the
commercial side of Christmas and the religious side. Keisha
Castle-Hughes plays Mary and Oscar Isaac plays Joseph. This movie is
the first movie to appear in the Vatican. Not much more needs to be
said, both leads portrayed their roles very faithfully and the three
wise men were fun to watch.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958): This is the movie adaptation of the
Tennesse Williams play which centers around a very dysfunctional family
lead by the dying Big Daddy, played by Burl Ives, reprising his Broadway
role. Paul Newman plays Brick, a has-been football player and track
star who can't let go of his glory days, turning a lot to the bottle.
Elizabeth Taylor plays his wife Maggie the Cat in one of her best
performances. Many things had to be removed in this movie due to
Hollywood's code at the time but still this is an enjoyable film mostly
about the troubled relationship between Big Daddy and Brick.
The Bishop's Wife (1947): Jane Crown totally bashed my Cary Grant
selection of last week, among many others, but we'll see what she thinks
of this one. This one kind of falls betwen the commercial and
religious side of Christmas. Cary Grant stars as an angel named
Dudley sent to help Bishop Henry Brougham, who is losing sight of
everything in his life including his wife who takes to Dudley. David
Niven plays the Bishop and Loretta Young plays his wife. Also look for
Elsa Lanchester, most known as The Monster's Bride in THE BRIDE OF
FRANKENSTEIN. This is one of greats of the holiday season and shouldn't
be missed, it still doesn't quite rank up to IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE with
me but it still works.
The Bat (1959): This is a classic thriller with Vincent Price. The
movie centers around a mansion full of people including author Cornelia
van Gorder, played by Agnes Moorehead. The mansion is being terrorized
by a killer called "The Bat". This movie has quite a bit of suspense
and a good performance by Vincent Price.
Well, that is it for this week. I'll try to get another installment
ready for next week. Just know that no matter what, they will
eventually be released.
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